Tehran Times

2025-12-16 22:07
University of Arkansas fires Iranian scholar for criticizing Israel

Silencing Shirin Saeidi, Belying Claims

When U.S. actions nullify its rhetoric on women's rights in Iran and free speech

TEHRAN – The removal of Dr. Shirin Saeidi from her post as director of the Middle East Studies Program at the University of Arkansas should not be read as a narrow personnel matter or an incidental university policy dispute.

By Shahrokh Saei

Beyond bombs: Israel’s expansionist narrative in Lebanon

TEHRAN – Israel is waging a hybrid war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, weaving continued military strikes with a propaganda campaign and ongoing occupation. This multi-front assault is not merely tactical; it is a strategic effort to lay the diplomatic and narrative groundwork for a far broader military escalation.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Turkish discontent with Lebanon over the Cyprus maritime agreement

BEIRUT—Turkey’s dissatisfaction with Lebanon has crystallized sharply following Beirut’s decision to sign a maritime border demarcation and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) agreement with Cyprus with coordination with Ankara or Damascus.
By Wesam Bahrani

Behind the Israeli assassination of Raed Saad

TEHRAN – The Israeli regime assassinated the second-in-command of the al-Qassam Brigades on December 13. What is the regime's objective?
Araghchi highlights strategic partnership with Russia in Moscow meeting

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday underscored the strategic depth of Tehran–Moscow relations during a meeting with a group of Russian intellectuals and policy experts in Moscow, as part of consultations on bilateral ties and key international developments.
Europe’s restoration of Iran sanctions ‘disgrace for diplomacy’: Russian FM

TEHRAN – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the reinstatement of illegal sanctions against Iran by Europe amounts to a “disgrace for diplomacy.”

Politics

Tehran calls for 'transparent, all-inclusive process' to pick UN chief

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations says Tehran demands a “transparent and all-inclusive process” to select the world body’s Secretary General, and announces its preparedness to take part in “meaningful talks” throughout this process.
High-level Iran-Russia talks set North–South Corridor on path to operation

TEHRAN – Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister for Transport, Vitaly Savelyev, emphasized the need to fast-track the strategic North–South Transport Corridor during high-level talks in Tehran on Tuesday.
UK Parliamentary Committee repeats allegations about Iran in annual security report

TEHRAN – A new annual report by the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has once again included Iran in its assessment of security threats and foreign influence, citing the country in connection with alleged cyber and state-affiliated activities.

Sports

Tractor vs Persepolis: A high-stakes Hazfi Cup showdown

TEHRAN - This Thursday, Tractor and Persepolis football teams will face off in the Round of 32 of Iran’s Hazfi Cup at the Yadegar-e Emam Stadium in Tabriz, kick-off scheduled for 16:15 local time.
Dembele and Bonmati win top prizes at the Best

TEHRAN - France attacker Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 FIFA Best Men's Player Award, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Best Women's Player Award for third straight year, FIFA announced Tuesday night.
Persepolis to part ways with Serge Aurier

TEHRAN – Persepolis football club are set to part ways with Ivorian defender Serge Aurier, bringing an early end to his short and disappointing spell in Iranian football.

Culture

Baghcheban children's theater festival kicks off in Marand

TEHRAN- The 3rd edition of the Baghcheban National Children and Youth Theater Festival commenced in Marand, East Azarbaijan province, on Monday with the participation of theatrical groups from across the country.
Book celebrating life of Martyr General Qassem Soleimani republished

TEHRAN- The 7th edition of the book "Qassem," authored by Iranian resistance literature researcher Morteza Sarhangi, has recently been published.
English translation of “Nigaristan” published by Edinburgh University Press

TEHRAN – The English translation of the book “The Picture Gallery (Nigaristan): A Persian Moral Miscellany” has been released by the Edinburgh University Press.

Economy

Iran to back investments in Africa, boost exports with multibillion-dollar guarantees

TEHRAN – Iran will support investments by Iranian firms in Africa and efforts to expand exports to the continent, with export credit guarantees and development financing expected to underpin trade growth, the head of the Iran–Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce stated.
ICCIMA urges Austria to ease business visas, seeks cooperation in renewables

TEHRAN – The head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) has urged Austria to facilitate the issuance of business visas for Iranian traders, saying easier travel would help revive bilateral economic ties weakened by sanctions.
Govt. injects $300m into rail sector as private investment brings new locomotives, wagons

TEHRAN – Iranian government has allocated 150 trillion rials ($300 million) to the private sector to strengthen its rail fleet, paving the way for new locomotives and passenger wagons to enter service as part of the country’s Seventh National Development Plan, the head of the national railway company said.

Society

DOE, UNDP hold meeting on wetlands preservation

TEHRAN – Ahmadreza Lahijanzadeh, the deputy head of the Department of Environment (DOE) for Marine and Wetlands affairs, and Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, the resident representative ad interim for United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Iran, held talks in Tehran on Wednesday, with a focus on the preservation of the country’s wetlands, particularly Hour al-Azim and Hamoun wetlands through provisions of water rights from Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively.
WHO oversees national preparedness in addressing communicable diseases

TEHRAN – Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Benedetta Allegranzi, has paid a visit to Iran, conducting a technical mission to strengthen communicable disease control, particularly in Tehran, Tabriz, in the northwest of the country, and Bandar Abbas in the south.
'Climate adaptation best strategy to reduce climate vulnerabilities'

TEHRAN – Boosting resilience and adaptation is the most effective strategy to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, has said.

Tourism

Iran’s Khoy and Turkey’s Konya sign sister-city agreement

TEHRAN - The Iranian city of Khoy and Turkey’s Konya have signed a sister-city agreement, committing to expand cooperation in spiritual tourism, cultural exchanges, urban management and sustainable infrastructure development, officials said.
Zoroastrian lawmaker highlights restoration of historic fire temples

TEHRAN — An Iranian lawmaker representing the Zoroastrian community has called for continued restoration and protection of historic fire temples in the central province of Isfahan.
Iranology goes beyond academia, Armenian researcher says

TEHRAN—Iranology is a quiet diplomacy between Iran and Armenia. Mariam Zazyan, an Armenian Iranologist, believes that being an Iranologist has a responsibility beyond academic study and can play an effective role in strengthening the cultural and friendly relations between the nations.

International

Israel’s media war fails to divide Iran and Lebanon

TEHRAN – Israeli media and their affiliates recently tried to stir the pot, spotlighting a brief back-and-forth between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi, in an effort to paint the two countries as being at odds.
Turkish discontent with Lebanon over the Cyprus maritime agreement

BEIRUT—Turkey’s dissatisfaction with Lebanon has crystallized sharply following Beirut’s decision to sign a maritime border demarcation and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) agreement with Cyprus with coordination with Ankara or Damascus.
Behind the Israeli assassination of Raed Saad

TEHRAN – The Israeli regime assassinated the second-in-command of the al-Qassam Brigades on December 13. What is the regime's objective?

When U.S. actions nullify its rhetoric on women's rights in Iran and free speech